The complete results of the 2021 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition were released today on the Official Guide to the World’s Best Olive Oils, after a three-day online rollout of the award-winning brands.
Producers from 28 countries delivered 1,159 brands to the industry’s most prestigious contest. An international team of experts analyzed each entry remotely from 13 countries.
I’ll be able to call our team members and tell them, one by one, that their devotion made this wonderful achievement possible.- Nicola Ferrarese, co-owner, Tèra de Prie
In an astonishing display of the determination of producers to improve their craft, 790 brands earned the NYIOOC’s coveted Gold and Silver Awards for outstanding quality, for an overall success rate of 68 percent.
NYIOOC president Curtis Cord said the steadily climbing tally of winners since the first edition of the contest in 2013 was “the strongest possible statement by courageous producers in facing down challenges to put out the best product possible for our health and enjoyment.”
“Faced with everything the world threw at them this year, somehow these dedicated people still managed to create extra virgin olive oils of outstanding quality — an exceedingly difficult thing to do even under the best conditions,” Cord added.
The 790 brands now comprise an elite list of the world’s best extra virgin olive oils on the Official Index, the guide used by millions of people each year to learn about the award winners and the people behind them.
“These are the brands that deliver the highest value in terms of the characteristics we expect when we choose an extra virgin olive oil,” Cord said, “and they are worth searching for.”
Olive Oil Times reporters began contacting producers for their reactions after winning the premier award in the olive oil industry.
“This award means we are producing olive oil the right way. It’s repayment for all our hard work,” said Matej Drnovšček, owner of Kmetija Drnovšček Estate in Slovenia and the producer of the Gold Award-winning brand Drnovšček Belica.
Italian producer Simone Botti, who owns Le Fontacce, won a Gold Award for his Tuscan blend. “This award repays the sacrifices and all the work that has been done during the year,” he told Olive Oil Times, “especially at the time of harvesting with the mill that I personally manage.”
Spanish producer Oro del Desierto won two Gold Awards, extending an impressive winning streak at the NYIOOC. “We are so happy with the results,” said owner Rafael Alonso when he learned of the awards. “We have continued to have consistent, positive results since 2014 at this competition. Nevertheless, we’ll continue to try to give our best every year.”
“Since the start, I’ve worked hard to produce a top quality, ethically produced olive oil capable of tickling the most sophisticated of palates while beautifying our land by restoring abandoned groves. Winning this award means recognition of this hard work,” said Francesco Piattelli Palmarini, whose Maraviglia blend earned a Gold Award.
“Proud, rewarded, and motivated!” said Petros Papaspyrou after earning three awards for his Papas Grove extra virgin olive oils produced in Kranidi Argolidas, Greece. “It keeps our small family business committed to continue offering quality, honest produce.”
“These awards mean so much to me,” said Brooke Hazen, owner of Goldridge Farms in California. “It gives me such a warm feeling of gratitude and satisfaction after we put so much time, energy and money into producing the best olive oil possible.”
This article commences our special coverage of the 2021 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition in which we will highlight the people behind the award-winning brands.
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